BR112020021039A2 - REMOVABLE POWER SUPPLY FOR MANUAL WHEELCHAIR - Google Patents

Abstract

a device for converting a manual wheelchair into an electronic wheelchair is disclosed. the device includes a joystick, a communication unit, a motor, a retractable friction roller, a hitch unit and a power source. the joystick is operationally connected to a communication unit. the communication unit is operationally connected to a motor. the motor includes a shaft connected to a rotor. the retractable friction roller is mounted on the shaft. the cylinder is placed in contact with a wheel on a manual wheelchair. the hitch unit is attached to the manual wheelchair to fix the friction roller and the wheel in a detachable manner. the power supply is operationally connected to the motor and the joystick.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED ORDER

[0001] This request claims the priority of an Interim Order no. 62 / 663,289 filed on April 27, 2018, the entire content of which is incorporated into this document as a reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present application generally relates to a removable power aid for a manual wheelchair and, more particularly, refers to a device for converting or retrofitting a manual wheelchair to an electric wheelchair.

[0003] In 2011, about 2.7 million Americans used wheelchairs regularly; up to 1.8 million in 1995. Based on the 2011 Census, 46 million Americans are disabled and receive income-based assistance. Of this group, 18.2% reported mobility difficulties. There is also a population that needs a wheelchair temporarily, for example, from 2 to 12 months, and prefers not to incur the expenses of an electronic wheelchair, although it is preferable to a manual wheelchair.

[0004] Electronic wheelchairs and many of the innovations in the field are very expensive; and there is a significant price difference between the most expensive manual wheelchair and the most economical electronic wheelchair, which generally varies in the thousands of dollars. Other limitations of electric wheelchairs, in addition to cost, include: portability (foldable); Weight; and structural volume. There are devices on the market for converting manual wheelchairs to electronic wheelchairs, but they have flaws so that they cannot be installed by an end user sitting on the chair, they are heavy, they are not portable, they have poor surface contact with the propulsion system and / or cannot be switched off without uninstalling the chair device.

[0005] What is needed is a device to convert a manual wheelchair into an energy-powered system at an affordable cost, portable, easy to install and use, lightweight, alternatively convertible from electric to manual without uninstalling the device. The device must be adaptable to existing manual wheelchairs, without the need for professional installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a device is provided for converting a manual wheelchair into an electronic wheelchair. An accessory manual wheelchair device configured to connect to a manual wheelchair that will convert the manual wheelchair into an electric wheelchair, while still maintaining the advantages that manual wheelchairs provide, is described in this document. The device includes a pluggable power supply attached to a standard manual wheelchair.

[0007] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device with a joystick, a communication unit, one or two motors, one or two retractable friction rollers, a hitch unit and one or two power sources. The joystick is operationally connected to a communication unit. The communication unit is operationally connected to one or two motors. Each motor includes a shaft connected to a rotor. A retractable friction roller is mounted on the shaft. The cylinder is placed in contact with a wheel on a manual wheelchair. The hitch unit is attached to the manual wheelchair to securely attach the friction roller to the wheel. The power supply is operationally connected to the motor and the joystick.

[0008] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a second motor that is operationally connected to the communication unit and the power supply. The communication unit is operationally connected to the joystick. The second motor includes a second shaft connected to a second rotor. This mode includes a second friction roller that is mounted on the second axis. The second cylinder is placed in contact with a second wheel on the manual wheelchair to facilitate motorized movement. In another mode, the joystick can be operationally connected to the rotors and is operationally programmable to generate commands for the motors.

[0009] The present invention easily converts a manual wheelchair into an intelligent motorized wheelchair. The characteristics of the present invention include 1) using the contact of the friction roller with the wheel to generate directed force; 2) the ability to engage and disengage the friction roller on the wheels of the wheelchair, which allows the user to propel the wheelchair with manual propulsion while the device is disengaged, but still attached to the wheelchair - an essential feature if the battery or the engine stops running; 3) the ability to fold the wheelchair with the device connected to it without changing the folding or the normal space occupied by a standard manual wheelchair; 4) portability of the unit. In one embodiment, the device includes a safety guard to prevent the user's fingers from getting caught in the motor or gears. In another embodiment, the motors are bidirectional and independent of each other, so that the motor connected to each wheel of the wheelchair can rotate in the opposite direction and rotate the wheelchair in place. Using the present invention, acute and long-term care wheelchair companies and individual users can take their equipment and standard of care to a higher professional level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a device attached to a manual wheelchair according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates a top perspective view of the device attached to the manual wheelchair according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a hitch unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Although several modalities of this disclosure are disclosed, it should be understood that they are presented only as examples and are not intended to be limiting. Similarly, the drawings and diagrams represent structural or architectural examples or alternative configurations of the invention, which are provided to assist in understanding the characteristics and functionality of the various modalities of the invention, but are not intended to be limiting. The modalities and resources can be implemented and / or changed in a variety of ways known to those skilled in the art.

[0016] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of the device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, device 100 includes a joystick 102, at least one retractable friction roller 104, along with associated coupling unit 106 and a power source 108. Joystick 102 is operationally connected to a communication unit 110. The joystick 102 is explained in detail in conjunction with Figure 2 and Figure 3 of the present invention.

[0017] The communication unit 110 is operationally connected to a motor 112. The communication unit 110 is explained in detail in conjunction with Figure 2 of the present invention. Motor 112 includes a shaft 114 and a rotor 116. Motor 112 is explained in detail in conjunction with Figure 3 of the present invention. Axis 114 is shown and explained in detail in conjunction with Figure 4 of the present invention.

[0018] The retractable friction roller 104 is mounted on the shaft

114. During operation of device 100, the retractable friction roller 104 is brought into contact with at least one wheel 206 (shown in Figure 2) of a manual wheelchair 202 (shown in Figure 2). The retractable friction roller 104 is explained in detail in conjunction with Figure 3 and Figure 4 of the invention.

[0019] The hitch unit 106 is attached to the wheelchair 202 (shown in Figure 2) to detach the retractable friction roller 104 and the wheel (shown in Figure 2). The coupling unit 106 is explained in detail in conjunction with Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5 of the present invention. Power source 108 is operationally connected to motor 112 and joystick 102. Power source 108 is shown and explained in detail in conjunction with Figure 5 of the present invention. Device 100 converts manual wheelchair 202 into an automatic wheelchair.

[0020] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a modality of device 100 attached to a manual wheelchair 202. Joystick 102 allows the user to control the direction and speed of motor 112 (shown in Figure 2). In one embodiment, the joystick 102 is attached to an arm 204 of the manual wheelchair 202.

[0021] In one embodiment, a user is able to control the direction, movement and speed of device 100 with the use of joystick 102. More specifically, the movement and speed of wheel 206 of wheelchair 202 are controlled by a user end using joystick 102 and communication unit 110 (shown in Figure 3).

[0022] In one mode, the joystick 102 is programmable and enabled to store instructions to control the speed and direction of the motor 112 (shown in Figure 1). Joystick 102 receives power from power source 108 (shown in Figure 1). The use of a battery operated joystick is known to control electric wheelchairs.

[0023] In one embodiment, the power source 108 is a battery. Batteries can be rechargeable like, but not limited to, a standard 110V or 220V charger. Battery samples that can work with this device include, but are not limited to, a primary (non-chargeable) battery and secondary batteries, such as Lithium-ion (Li-ion), Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) and Lead-Acid.

[0024] Figure 3 illustrates a top perspective view of the device 100 attached to the manual wheelchair 202 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this configuration, the retractable friction roller 104 is mounted on axis 114 (shown in Figure 1) and rotated by activating motor 112.

[0025] In one embodiment, the device includes a brushless hub motor with a friction surface. The types of motors that can be used include, but are not limited to, a gear hub motor, a brushed hub motor, a brushless gear hub motor, a brushed gear hub motor, a hub motor with brush or any other similar motor. Hub motors are very common in motorized wheelchairs, but are usually used for separate wheels that come into direct contact with the ground. Friction surfaces may include, but are not limited to, high friction surface treatments, high friction polymers and high friction details applied to the surface that contacts the wheel of the wheelchair.

[0026] In the present invention, the retractable friction roller 104 is brought into contact with at least one wheel 206 of the manual wheelchair 202 to rotate the wheel 206 and move the wheelchair 202. The retractable friction roller 104 rotates the wheel 206 by frictional force. This is a unique feature of the present invention. Other devices are commonly based on movements from the engine to the ground, the PAW uses a friction roller on the wheel to generate movement.

[0027] In one embodiment, the retractable friction roller 104 is shaped to have a center-rimmed hollow frame configured to provide high friction surface facing wheel 206 of the wheelchair

202. The centerless hollow rim housing acts as a wheel hub to produce a high percentage of surface contact. In one embodiment, the high friction surface of the retractable friction roller 104 faces the wheel of the wheelchair 206 and is customizable to fit the curve and / or the size of the wheel 206.

[0028] In one embodiment, the material of the high friction surface of the retractable friction roller 104 is rubber or polyurethane. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various types of materials, such as silicone, foam, sandpaper, adhesive tape, spongy rubber foam, etc., can be envisioned without departing from the scope of the present invention. In another embodiment, the wheels 206 of the wheelchair 202 are produced using a high friction surface and the roller 104 is produced from steel, aluminum or another similar hardened textured surface.

[0029] Motor 112 is configured to rotate the retractable friction roller 104. The retractable friction roller 104 is mounted on axis 114 (shown in Figure 1) and rotor 116 (shown in Figure 1) rotates the first axis, resulting in in the rotation of the retractable friction roller 104. In one embodiment, motor 112 is a brushless DC motor with a friction surface. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various types of motors, such as geared hub motor, brushed gear hub motor, etc., can be envisioned without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0030] In another embodiment, the device 100 also includes a second motor 302 operationally connected to the communication unit 110 and to the power source 108 (shown in Figure 1). The communication unit 110 divides into another communication unit 304 that operationally connects to the second motor 302. The communication unit 110 and the other communication unit 304 are both operationally connected to the joystick 102. In another embodiment, the joystick 102 includes control buttons 316 operationally connected to the engine. The control buttons 316 control the speed of motor 112 (shown in Figure 3).

[0031] In one embodiment, the communication unit 110 and the other communication unit 304 are a single wired communication unit (not shown) operationally connected to the joystick

102. Examples of the communication unit 110 and the other communication unit 304 include, but are not limited to, cables, wires, Bluetooth, NFC. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various types of communication units, such as wired or wireless units, can be designed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0032] The second motor 302 includes a second shaft (not shown) connected to a second rotor (not shown). In this embodiment, device 100 additionally includes a second friction roller 306 mounted on the second axis (not shown). The second roller 306 is placed in contact with a second wheel 308 of the manual wheelchair 202. Alternatively, the second roller 306 is mounted on the shaft 114 and the motor 112 provides motor torque to rotate the second friction roller 306 and the roller friction level 104 (not shown).

[0033] Likewise, for retractable friction roller 104, the second retractable friction roller 306 includes a center-hollow rim housing configured to provide high friction surface facing the second wheel 308 of wheelchair 202. O principle and function of the second motor 302 and the second friction roller 306 are the same as those of motor 112 and the retractable friction roller 104, as described above.

[0034] In another embodiment of the present invention, device 100 further includes a second hitch 310 attached to the manual wheelchair 202 to detachably secure the second friction roller 306 and the second wheel 308 of the wheelchair 202. The hitch unit 106 detachably secures the friction roller 104 and the wheel 206. The hitch unit 106 and the second hitch unit 310 are attached behind the seat area 312 of the wheelchair 202 and the top of the wheel 206 and second wheel 308, respectively.

[0035] Figure 4 illustrates the perspective view of the hitch unit 106 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The latching unit 106 includes a lever 502 operatively connected to a lever mechanism unit 504, a tensioner 506 connected to the lever mechanism unit 504 and a clamping unit 508 operationally connected to the tensioner 506. The clamping unit 508 comprises clamps (shown in Figure 5) and a spring-loaded unit (shown in Figure 5).

[0036] In a device mode, the retractable friction roller (104, shown in Figure 3) is operationally connected to the tensioner 506. Lever 502 is actuated by the user and results in the engagement and disengagement of the retractable friction roller (104, shown in Figure 3) of wheel 206. Thus, lever 502 results in the conversion of a manual wheelchair into a motorized wheelchair and vice versa.

[0037] With reference to Figure 1, in an embodiment of the present invention, the power source 108 is a battery. Batteries can be charged with a standard 110 V or 220 V charger. Examples of batteries include, but are not limited to, the primary battery (rechargeable) and secondary batteries (non-rechargeable), including, but not limited to, batteries such as Lithium-ion (Li-ion), Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) and Lead-Acid.

[0038] Figure 5 illustrates the perspective view of the device 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The clamps 402 and a spring-loaded unit 404 engage and disengage the retractable friction roller 104 and the wheel 206.

[0039] With reference to Figure 1, the friction roller 104 is mounted on the axis 114. In one embodiment of the present invention, the friction roller 104 has an opening for receiving the axis 114. The axis 114 is an elongated cylindrical rod for pass through the opening to rotate the friction roller 104 when receiving the torque from the rotor motor (116, shown in Figure 1).

[0040] Examples of the 508 clamping unit include simple mechanical devices such as, but not limited to, a curved screw, screw, French screw, T screw, T-head screw, round-head screw, cylinder screw, hex head screw, spring, clamp screw, mechanical coupling, lock, rod clamp, rail clamp, light, round center mount, mounting bracket, column clamp, tube clamp, quick release clamp, clamp assembly handlebar clamp support or assembly on the backrest frame of the wheelchair 202 and provides contact between the friction roller 104 and the wheelchair wheel 206, respectively.

[0041] The total weight of the entire device 100 is approximately 9.07 kg (20 pounds). The speed is expected to be adjustable from 0 to 8 km / h (0 to 5 m / h), with a maximum load capacity of around 136.07 kg (300 pounds), with a maximum slope of around 10 degrees.

[0042] It will be easily evident to those skilled in the art that the second retractable friction roller; second hitch unit; and the second motor perform exactly the same functions as described in the description for retractable friction roller; hitch unit; and engine, respectively.

[0043] In other modalities, one skilled in the art will be able and able to make changes as to the size and materials of the friction roller; the size and type of engine or battery used; and / or as to the type of controller or joystick; and as to the size and type of securing devices used to secure the device to the manual wheelchair, such as, but not limited to, a screw clamp. In one embodiment, a wrapper for each of the two units can be added for safety, convenient travel and appearance. In another embodiment, the device can be used as an energy aid for any object that is traditionally transported on wheels by means of manual propulsion, such as luggage carts.

[0044] Potential limitations include the following: the device may not work if the maximum weight limit is exceeded; the maximum slope is exceeded; the friction roller is not properly seated in the drive system; operation on wet surfaces due to sliding, operation on ice, sand or oily surfaces, if the battery, motor or gripping components are damaged or completely discharged, if the wheels are locked or do not rotate freely, or if there is operation in excessive heat.

[0045] In the previous description, it will be readily noted by those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed in this document. Such modifications should be considered as included in the following claims, unless the language of the claims expressly states otherwise.

[0046] The terms and phrases used in this document and their variations, unless expressly stated otherwise, should be interpreted as open and not limited. As examples of the above: the discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list of it; the item described for a certain period of time or an item available at a defined time, but should instead be read to include conventional, traditional, normal or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future .

[0047] Likewise, when this document refers to technologies that would be evident or known to a person skilled in the art, such technologies encompass those evident or known to those skilled in the art now or at any time in the future. In addition, the use of plurals can also refer to the singular, including, without limitation, when a term refers to one or more of a specific item; likewise, the use of a term in the singular can also include the plural, unless the context indicates otherwise.

[0048] The presence of extension words and phrases, such as in some cases, should not be interpreted as meaning that the more restricted case is intended or required in cases where such extension phrases may be absent. In addition, the various modalities set out in this document are described in terms of block diagrams, flowcharts and other exemplary illustrations. As will become evident to a person skilled in the art after reading this document, the illustrated modalities and their various alternatives can be implemented without being limited to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and the accompanying description should not be interpreted as requiring a particular architecture or configuration.

[0049] Although the disclosure is described above in terms of various exemplary modalities and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionalities described in one or more of the individual modalities are not limited in their applicability to the specific modality with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other modalities of disclosure, whether these modalities are described or not and whether these characteristics are presented or not as part of a described modality.

Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the exemplary modalities described above.

Claims (15)

1. Device characterized by the fact that it comprises: a joystick operationally connected to a communication unit, the communication unit operationally connected to a motor; wherein said motor comprises an axis connected to a rotor; a retractable friction roller mounted on the axle and said roller placed in contact with a wheel of a manual wheelchair; a hitch unit attached to the wheelchair to detach the retractable friction roller and the wheel in a detachable manner; and a power source operationally connected to the engine and the joystick. 2. Friction roller according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises a concave rim housing without center configured to provide a high friction surface facing the wheel of the wheelchair. 3. Device, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a second motor operationally connected to the communication unit and the power source. 4. Second motor, according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that it comprises a second axis connected to a second rotor. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that it further comprises a second retractable friction roller mounted on the second axle and said second roller placed in contact with a second wheel of the manual wheelchair. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a second hitch unit attached to the manual wheelchair to detachably fix the second friction roller and the second wheel of the wheelchair. 7. Second retractable friction roller, according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that it comprises a second hollow rim carcass without center configured to provide a high friction surface facing the second wheel of the manual wheelchair. 8. Joystick, according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that it is operationally programmable to generate commands for the engine and the second engine. 9. Friction roller according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comes into contact with the wheel behind a wheelchair seating area. 10. Second friction roller, according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that it contacts the second wheel behind the seating area. 11. Coupling unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it also comprises: a lever operationally connected to a lever mechanism unit; said lever mechanism unit operably connected to a tensioner; and said tensioner operationally connected to a fixing unit. 12. Second hitch unit according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that it further comprises: a second lever operatively connected to a second lever mechanism unit; said second lever mechanism unit operably connected to a second tensioner; and said second tensioner operationally connected to a second clamping unit. 13. Fixing unit, according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a spring-driven unit operationally connected to the retractable friction roller; and a clamp operationally connected to the spring-loaded unit. 14. Second clamping unit, according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a second operationally connected to the second retractable friction roller; and a second clamp operationally connected to the spring-loaded unit. 15. Method for converting a manual wheelchair into an electronic wheelchair characterized by the fact that it comprises a step of using a device which comprises: a joystick operationally connected to a communication unit, said communication unit operationally connected to a motor; said motor comprising an axis connected to a rotor; a retractable friction roller mounted on the axle, and said roller placed in contact with a wheel of a manual wheelchair; a hitch unit attached to the wheelchair to detach the friction roller and the wheel in a detachable manner; and a power source operationally connected to the engine and the joystick.